World Championship: Mark Selby and Ronnie O'Sullivan reach semi-finals
Last Updated: 30/04/14 2:34pm
Mark Selby and defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan breezed through to the semi-finals of the Dafabet World Championship after comprehensive quarter-final wins.
The 2007 World Championship runner-up Selby sealed the one remaining frame he needed against Alan McManus to complete a 13-5 victory and reach the last four at the Crucible.
Meanwhile, O'Sullivan joined Selby after completing a 13-3 rout against fellow Englishman Shaun Murphy.
Leicester cueman Selby came into the session with a commanding 12-4 lead and McManus won the opening frame with a break of 69 to extend the contest.
He was among the balls again early in the 18th frame before losing position on 20, opening the door for Selby.
A missed red to the middle from 'The Jester from Leicester' allowed veteran McManus back to the table. He could not take advantage, though, and Selby closed out the win to advance to a semi-final against either Judd Trump or Neil Robertson.
"I think it was four years ago since I was in the semi-final before so it seems like forever with so many tournaments now during the season," Selby said.
"I'm looking forward to it and can't wait to get out there."
Selby will take on either Judd Trump or Neil Robertson in the last-four.
The Australian world No 1 Robertson made a poor start to his last-eight tie against Trump and was 6-2 down after the first session.
Five-time world champion O'Sullivan held a 6-2 overnight lead in his match against Murphy and he claimed seven of the eight frames in the morning to progress.
"You just never know what type of match you're going to get," O'Sullivan said.
"You can expect a really tough match and it turn out easy like it did with Shaun. I didn't expect to win it that easy to be fair. He's a free-scoring great potter.
"He just missed a few balls and let me in quite easily. I still had to pot them but I didn't have to fight for my chances."
'The Rocket' will likely meet Barry Hawkins next in a repeat of last year's final after the world No 4 opened up an 11-5 advantage over Welshman Dominic Dale.
